Description

Craig Sanders has done an excellent job of research... his treatment is as comprehensive as anyone could reasonably wish for, and solidly based. In addition, he succeeds in making it all clear as well as any human can. He also manages to inject enough humor and human interest to keep the reader moving." —Herbert H. Harwood, author of The Lake Shore Electric Railway Story and Invisible Giants: The Empires of Cleveland’s Van Sweringen Brothers

A complete history of Amtrak operations in the heartland, this volume describes conditions that led to the passage of the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970, the formation and implementation of Amtrak in 1970–71, and the major factors that have influenced Amtrak operations since its inception. More than 140 photographs and 3 maps bring to life the story as told by Sanders. This book will become indispensable to train enthusiasts through its examination of Americans’ long-standing fascination with passenger trains. When it began in 1971, many expected Amtrak to last about three years before going out of existence for lack of business, but the public’s continuing support of funding for Amtrak has enabled it and the passenger train to survive despite seemingly insurmountable odds.

Author Bio

Craig Sanders teaches journalism and mass media communications at Cleveland State University. A lifelong railroad enthusiast, Sanders has published articles in Trains magazine, The Observation Car, and the Amtrak Historical Society magazine. His books include Limiteds, Locals, and Expresses in Indiana, 1838–1971 (IUP, 2003). He lives in University Heights, Ohio.

Reviews

““Craig Sanders has done an excellent job of research . . . his treatment is as comprehensive as anyone could reasonably wish for, and solidly based. . . . He also manages to inject enough humor and human interest to keep the reader moving.” —Herbert H. Harwood, author of The Lake Shore Electric Railway Story and Invisible Giants: The Empires of Cleveland’s Van Sweringen Brothers
This book will become indispensable to train enthusiasts through its examination of Americans’ long-standing fascination with passenger trains.”

“Indiana University Press has made a name for itself producing a series of well—researched, scholarly tomes on various facets of railroad history. . . their latest release, Amtrak In the Heartland, is no exceptio”
— George Fletcher, Passenger Train Journal

Customer Reviews

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments1. The All-Time Transportation Comeback2. In the Shadows of Titans3. A Tale of Two Trains4. When Tradition and Politics Intervened5. The Hard Luck Floridian6. No Mo' Disappearing Railroad Blues7. The Eagle Has Survived8. The Epitome of Western Travel9. The Everywhere West Train10. Scenery and Social Responsibility11. The Almost Forgotten Corridor12. Michigan's Bootstrap Campaign13. An Uneasy Home in Indiana14. Agony and Ecstasy in the "Can't Lose" Corridors15. Prairie State Populists16. Front Doors and Back ShopsNotesIndex